149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Archive

By Lt. Col Tim Starke, 75th Troop Command This article ran originally in Maneuver Support Magazine in the Summer of 2009. Lt. Col. Starke served with the 149th MEB in January 2009 and was instrumental in helping to frame the 149th’s response to one of Kentucky’s ‘worst natural disasters’ in recent history. This was his reflection on the unit’s response and lessons learned. We are republishing it during the 10th anniversary of the historic 2009 ice storm. The morning of 26 January 2009 began with rumors of approaching inclement weather as the staff at 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) headquarters […]

By Sgt. 1st Class Rebecca Wood, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Public Affairs RICHMOND, Ky. — The 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB), headquartered in Richmond, said farewell to Col. Alexander Stewart II and welcomed Col. Joseph H. Gardner II as the new brigade commander during a change of command ceremony June 23, 2018 at the Eastern Kentucky University Roy Kidd Stadium. More than 125 Soldiers and 80 distinguished visitors were in attendance as Gardner assumed command from Stewart. Brig. Gen. Scott Campbell, assistant adjutant general oversaw the ceremony and led the time honored and symbolic change of leadership through the transfer […]

By Sgt. 1st Class Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs GREENVILLE, Ky. — The National Guard has remained an ever-evolving organization. 1636, 1792, 1861, 1916, 2001 are a few specific years marking critical changes in America’s hometown defense force. How the National Guard fits into the battle rhythm of active duty forces as well as maintaining its own state’s mission has always been in flux. In 2017, a new term, Army National Guard (ARNG) 4.0 was introduced, spelling out goals of increased readiness and capabilities to answer the demands of the total Army concept and the dual role of […]

By Sgt. Taylor Tribble, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade GREENVILLE, Ky. — In recent years, most units of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) have conducted annual training at the company or the battalion levels. However, the 149th commander Col. Alexander Stewart said this year’s more collective training exercise in June at the Wendell H. Ford Training Center was different. “The purpose of any MEB is to provide support to combat forces on the battlefield ensuring lines of communication remain secured and open for resupply,” said Stewart. “This allows the commanders of the combat forces to maintain momentum in the fight and defeat […]

Staff Report ARTEMUS, Ky. — Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 149th Infantry based out of London, Ky., conducted a patching ceremony to mark their new affiliation with the 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team from the Virginia Army National Guard at the CSM Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Kentucky Oct. 15th. “On behalf of Col. Scott Smith, I welcome the 1-149th Infantry Battalion to our Brigade,” said Lt. Col. Joseph DiNonno, the 116th IBCT Executive Officer. “We look forward to training alongside the Mountain Warriors in the future.” The 1-149 will become the third Infantry maneuver Battalion for the Brigade. The […]

By Capt. Desiree Dillehay, 149th Military Engagement Team Public Affairs Officer CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — The 149th Military Engagement Team transferred authority to the Georgia National Guard’s 648th MET during a ceremony held, here, Sept. 6, 2017, signifying the successful completion of the Kentucky National Guard’s mission. “As the command team of the 149th MET, Col. Joe Gardner and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers have done an exceptional job leading the team through a difficult and pivotal mission,” said Maj. Gen. Terrence McKenrick, U.S. Army Central deputy commanding general, who presided over the ceremony. “Through their tireless efforts, professionalism and […]

By Sgt. Taylor Tribble, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade ARTEMUS, Ky. — More than three battalions of the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade put their collaborative skills to the test during a civil support exercise as part of the unit’s annual training at the Harold L. Disney Training Center in Artemus, Ky., June 2-16. The large-scale exercise included a National Guard response to a major earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in Western Kentucky. As Kentucky’s largest and most diverse brigade, the 149th would potentially lead Kentucky Guard operations to support relief efforts in the wake of such a catastrophe. “Whenever […]

By Michael Novogradac, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT KNOX, Ky. — The Ohio River between Indiana and Kentucky saw operational testing of the Army Engineer Regiment’s new Bridge Erection Boat (BEB) here Aug. 19. The 2061st Multi-Role Bridge Company (MRBC), a National Guard unit out of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, joined with Active duty Engineers of the 502nd MRBC from Knox to do wave after wave of bridging operations, running the BEB through its paces under a Limited User Test (LUT). The BEB will replace the current Legacy MK II BEB which has been in service since 1984, and is used […]

Story by Maj. Varinka Ensminger, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade To see all photos from this event, please click HERE. RICHMOND, Ky. — Col. Jerry Morrison and Command Sgt. Maj. Jesse Withers relinquished their leadership positions during a change of command and responsibility ceremony with the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) over the weekend at Roy Kidd Stadium on Eastern Kentucky University’s campus in Richmond, Ky. Both have successfully led the Kentucky National Guard’s largest brigade for the last two and a half years. Friends, family and comrades traveled from across the state July 17, to honor the accomplishments of the brigade and […]

By Maj. Carla Raisler, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment ARTEMUS, Ky. — Soldiers from the 149th Brigade Support Battalion conducted water purification and convoy operations across the commonwealth during annual training June 4-18, 2016. It takes an entire battalion to support the critical mission of delivering supplies to units across the state. One of the mission critical tasks is water purification. The team that operates the Tactical Water Purification System (TWPS) is the only one of its kind remaining in the Kentucky National Guard. This is the first time the unit is conducting collective training to produce clean water and […]